Pope Stirs Controversy With Words on Economy

By Francis X. Rocca VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In enunciating the principles of Catholic social teaching, popes have long stressed the Church’s special concern for the poor and the need for state intervention to promote economic justice. Pope Benedict XVI, for instance, blamed the “logic of profit” for widespread hunger and pollution; called for a […]

The Lights Are On In Brooklyn

The Christmas creche and trees were lit Dec. 1 at Visitation Monastery, Bay Ridge, to mark the traditional opening of the Festival of Lights. Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, chaplain to Visitation Academy, blessed the manger scene and then celebrated Mass for the First Sunday of Advent. Following Mass, two awards were presented: the Distinguished Faculty Award […]

Advent Events

Make your Advent more meaningful by taking part in one or more of these events at our local parishes: Join the good people of St. Ephrem, Dyker Heights, for Advent Vespers, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Sister Helene Jakubowski, R.S.M. All welcome. Call 921-9518. Our Lady of the Snows, N. Floral Park, is having an […]

Pope Closes Year of Faith

By Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis closed the Year of Faith by calling on people to keep Christ at the center of their lives, especially in times of trouble. “When Jesus is at the center, light shines even the darkest moments of our lives; he gives us hope,” he said in his […]

Girl in Viet Photo Spreads A Message of Forgiveness

By Nichole Golden ATLANTA (CNS) – An entire generation instantly recognizes the image of an unclothed Vietnamese girl running toward the camera in terror after a bombing at her village. Taken by Associated Press photographer Nick Ut in June, 1972, the black and white photograph became one of the most iconic pictures from the Vietnam […]

Year of Faith Comes to End: Bishop Celebrates Closing Mass at St. James

By Marie Elena Giossi In communion with Pope Francis in Rome, the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens celebrated a closing Mass for the Year of Faith at St. James Cathedral-Basilica, Downtown Brooklyn, on Nov. 24. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI called the Year of Faith, which opened on Oct. 11, 2012, the 50th anniversary of the […]

Pope and Putin Talk Primarily About Peace

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Peace in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing war in Syria, topped the agenda Nov. 25 as Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican. The Russian president “conveyed the greetings of (Russian Orthodox) Patriarch Kirill, but there was not a discussion of ecumenical relations,” said […]

Egyptian Priest Asks Christians to Remain

CAIRO (CNS) – Egypt’s Christians should stay in their country and help it progress instead of taking “the easy way” of emigrating abroad, said a senior member of the country’s Catholic Church. Father Rafic Greiche, head of the Catholic Church press office in Egypt, expressed concern Nov. 20 that hundreds of thousands of Christians have […]

Even Pope Goes to Confession

By Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said he goes to confession every two weeks, knowing that God never tires of forgiving those who repent but also knowing that having a priest say “I absolve you” reinforces belief in God’s mercy. Using the literal Italian translation of a Spanish saying, “It’s better to […]

Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

At the Investiture Dinner Nov. 23 for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem were, from left, Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, diocesan vicar for development; Nicholas Vendikos, director of development, Futures in Education; Manuel Gutierrez; Stefanie Gutierrez, spokesperson for the Diocese of Brooklyn; Vincent LeVien, director of external affairs, DeSales Media Group; Rita Damato, […]